Senators, congressmen back disaster loans for fishermen

Tuesday

Sep 24, 2013 at 12:01 AMSep 24, 2013 at 4:44 PM

The entire Massachusetts delegation is backing Gov. Deval Patrick's effort to have the federal Small Business Administration provide economic assistance to fishermen through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

Steve DeCosta

The entire Massachusetts delegation is backing Gov. Deval Patrick's effort to have the federal Small Business Administration provide economic assistance to fishermen through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

A letter dated Monday and signed by both Massachusetts senators and eight congressmen says: "Our fishermen and fishing-related businesses need SBA assistance as they work to adjust to a perfect storm of events that threatens the future one of our nation's oldest and most storied industries and the coastal communities that depend on it."

Significant cuts in the amounts of groundfish that Northeastern fishermen may catch and other harsh economic factors have driven many fishermen out of the business and significantly threaten those who remain, the lawmakers said.

Sen. Ed Markey, who coordinated the efforts of his colleagues, said: "Fishermen need help, and these small business loans are another way to get them financial assistance that will actually keep their businesses afloat. Massachusetts' lawmakers in Washington are united in our efforts to get fishermen the respect and the assistance they deserve."

Earlier this month, Patrick officially certified to the SBA that Massachusetts fishermen had suffered "substantial economic injury" in seeking assistance through the loan program.

Meanwhile, still bottled up in Congress is direct disaster assistance to fishermen — in the form of grants, not loans — something Sen. Elizabeth Warren said would provide more valuable assistance.

"SBA assistance is something the fishing industry has asked for, and it will help ease some of the economic hardships facing our fishermen," she said. "But loans will have a limited impact, and it is important to do more to make sure all our fishermen get the critical disaster aid they need."

Last year, the Department of Commerce declared a fishery disaster for the Northeast, but Republicans in the House blocked a $150 million appropriation.

The Senate authorized the $150 million in an appropriations bill earlier this year, but that has not yet been considered by the House as Republicans and Democrats fight over the federal debt ceiling.

"For over one year, House Republicans have blocked repeated attempts to provide New England's fishing community with federal disaster assistance," Rep. William Keating said. "While this essential aid remains tied up in inexcusable partisan gridlock, our fishermen and support industries continue to struggle. I am committed to providing this much-needed assistance as we look toward smarter policies that will prevent future uncertainties and protect this historic industry."